20 Best Places to Eat in Florence
One of the highlights of any trip to Italy is the food. And when it comes to that aspect Florence does not disappoint! I regularly think about several restaurants in Florence I wish were actually located in Boston instead! Enjoying meals (and some Chianti) together is a huge part of Italian culture and one of my favorite ways to experience Italy.
Keep reading for suggestions on where in Florence to head for the classics, like the best pizza & gelato, plus suggestions on where to get the best Tuscan meals! Each region of Italy has it’s own distinct cuisine, and Tuscany has some of my favorite dishes
Jump to:
- Classic Tuscan Dishes
- Best Restaurants in Florence Map
- Best Restaurants for a Traditional Tuscan Meal
- Best Pizza in Florence
- Best Panini in Florence
- Best Gelato in Florence
- Other Top Florence Restaurant Recommendations
Classic Tuscan Dishes
Bistecca alla Fiorentina
If you’re going to have one meal in Florence it should be a bistecca all Fiorentina with all the sides! A steak made with only the best beef from Chianina cattle, it’s a huge dish meant to be shared. It comes served at medium rare (and if you want the real experience you should keep it that way) Best eaten with a side of patate arrosto (roasted potatoes) & spinaci saltati (sauteed spinach)
Pappa al Pomodoro
Pappa all Pomodoro is a thick, simple soup made with bread, tomatoes, olive oil, garlic & basil. I know you’re probably thinking that this just sounds like tomato soup, but this could not be farther from the canned Campbell’s tomato soup you’ve probably had in your life. I cannot stress how good this simple dish is, mostly due to the fresh ingredients used.
Lasagne
I know most people have heard of or had lasagna (or lasagne as it’s referred to in Italian!) but the Italian version is different than most American versions, and infinitely better in my opinion. The main difference is the use of béchamel (a white sauce) in lieu of ricotta. But also they hand roll out the thinnest slices of lasagna, making the dish many layers and so much better than what you usually get at home!
Ribollita
A traditional winter soup famous to the Tucsan region. This is often made from leftovers, but don’t let that dissuade you! This soup is made with lefotver bread, cannoli beans & seasonal vegetables. particularly Tuscan kale, but also carrots, onions, etc.
Best Restaurants in Florence Map
Click through the map to see all of my favorite spots in Florence!
Il Latini
Best for a Family Style Traditional Tuscan Meal
A cozy, charming little restaurant with some of the best authentic food in Florence! Try the “Family Style Meal” It’s a per person cost (around $60) and so much food! You’ll get:
- bread
- a charcuterie meats & cheese course plate
- a series of Crostini (bruschetta, etc.)
- A course of Pappa al Pomodoro, Ribollita, Bolognese & a Wild Boar Pasta
- Bistecca alla Fiorentina with roasted potatoes & canella beans
- a dessert course
You absolutely need to make a reservation in advance to be able to get a table!
Via dei Palchetti, 6R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
La Spada
Best for Traditional Meals with a Local Feel (and the best Lasagna!)
La Spada has a ton of great options! I’ve never gotten something there I didn’t like. I particularly love their lasagna & this is a great place to try bistecca all Fiorentina. The food is authentic and fresh and you’ll notice many locals eating there as well.
Via della Spada, 62/R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
https://ristorantelaspada.it/it/
Osteria del Filletto d’Oro
Best Bistecca alla Fiorentina
I would recommend this restaurant even if the food was terrible just for the ambiance! It’s on one of my favorite streets in Florence and inside is a cozy little osteria with twinkle lights lining the entire ceiling, luckily though, I don’t need to recommend it just for the vibes, because the food is also great. I highly recommend any of the steaks!
Via dei Neri, 48r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
https://osteria-filetto-doro.business.site/
Mercato Centrale
Best for an Authentic Lunch
The Central Market is an awesome place to have lunch and explore. You’ll see tons of local Florentines doing their shopping or grabbing lunch themselves. The downstairs is full of different vendors selling groceries, as well as cooked food. Some have tables and others counters, or you can take it to go. Upstairs is food hall style and you can order from any of the food stalls and take a seat at the tables to enjoy. This place might seem overwhelming, but it’s a really cool spot to grab lunch and see how the locals live!
Piazza del Mercato Centrale, Via dell’Ariento, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
Gustapizza
Best Pizza in Florence
This place gets so much hype and it absolutely lives up to it! It is always crowded, but don’t be deterred, it moves so quickly and the servers are amazing at taking care of many tables at once and getting you in and out quickly! All of their pizzas are amazing, but I love the classic Margherita, so simple and so perfect.
Via Maggio, 46r, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
https://www.facebook.com/GustapizzaFirenze/?_rdr
Pizzeria O’Vesuvio
Best Pizza in Florence Runner Up
When I was in Florence for the month of October last year my AirBnb host recommended Pizzeria O’Vesuvio. It was right down the street from where I stayed and that was a blessing (and a curse because I wanted pizza daily) They have a ricotta stuffed crust that is insanely good! This is a great option close to the Duomo and all the main sites of Florence!
Via dei Cimatori, 21r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Hostaria da Fulvio
Best Vibes
I love this restaurant! It’s in Oltrarno (my favorite neighborhood in Florence) and is one of my favorite dinner spots. It’s small, chic and lively. It’s always crazy crowded, so definitely make a reservation. All of the food is amazing, but I love their lemon pasta!
Via Sant’Agostino, 12, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
https://www.instagram.com/hostaria_da_fulvio/?hl=en
Amici di Ponte Vecchio
Best Afternoon Spot for an Aperol & Panini
This hole-in-the-wall spot is a great place to grab an afternoon panini and Spritz. The small tables/counter spill out onto the road and are a great spot for enjoying a sunny Tuscan afternoon.
Via de’ Bardi, 39, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
https://www.amicidipontevecchio.it/
Il Rifrullo
Best Aperitivo
One of the best spots for a late afternoon/pre dinner drink and snack. Their back patio is one of my favorite spots!
Via di S. Niccolò, 57, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
http://www.ilrifrullo.com/
Tamerò
Best Late Night Restaurant
Santo Spirito is the area you’ll want to head to if you’re looking for any late night spot, but if you’re looking for more than just drinks, Tamerò also serves up some delicious late night food.
Piazza Santo Spirito, 11r, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
https://www.tamerofirenze.com/
All’antico Vinaio
Best Paninis in Florence
You’ll know this spot as soon as you see it because from open to close they will have a line down the road. Also, it will seem like every person you pass has a Vinaio wrapped sandwich in their hand. The line is worth the wait, the paninis are incredible (and cheap)
Via dei Neri, 65 rosso, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
https://www.allanticovinaio.com/
I Fratellini
Best Spot for a Panini & Wine
This place is literally a hole in the wall, so blink and you miss it, but it’s a can’t miss spot for grabbing an afternoon panini and a glass of wine!
Via dei Cimatori, 38/r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Grom
Best Gelato in Florence
My personal favorite! Although many of my friends preferred La Carraia. Try the cream di Grom (similar to a cookie dough) Grom is right next to the Duomo and a perfect pit stop after hiking up all those stais!
Via del Campanile, 2, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
La Carraia
Best Gelato in Florence Runner Up
So many flavors and huge portions! I love the stracciatella (similar to chocolate chip)
Piazza Nazario Sauro, 25/r, 50124 Firenze FI, Italy
Other Great Restaurant Options in Florence
I Tarocchi
This was me and my roommates favorite restaurant in Florence ten years ago when we studied abroad. I was so happy when I went back this year and it was as good as I remembered! They have my favorite lasagna in Italy
Via dei Renai, 12 – 14, 50100 Firenze FI, Italy
Trattoria Casalinga
Rotating menu of traditional Tuscan meals. This has been recommended to me by several locals and it did not disappoint!
Via dei Michelozzi, 9R, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
https://trattorialacasalinga.it/en/home-eng/
4 Leoni
A cool spot in one of my favorite areas of Florence. Try their patio and enjoy the atmosphere
Via dei Vellutini, 1r, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Beccafico
Great spot for steaks, especially Pepe Verde (green pepper sauce steak)
Borgo S. Jacopo, 49/R, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Mamma Gina
Borgo S. Jacopo, 37/R, 50100 Firenze FI, Italy
Gusta Osteria
Sister restaurant to Gustapizza with traditional Tuscan meals!
Via dei Michelozzi, 13R, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
https://www.facebook.com/gustaosteria/?fref=ts
Trattoria Bordino
Great, hidden spot with a rotating lunch menu. Also, an awesome dinner spot!
Via Stracciatella, 9r, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
http://www.trattoriabordino.it/
Pino’s Sandwiches
A sandwich shop with a bit of a cult following among the study abroad set!
Via Giuseppe Verdi, 36R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
https://www.pinossandwiches.com/en/menu
Restaurants to Skip
There are a few restaurants that I see widely recommended that, in my opinion, are not the best of what Florence has to offer, and are a bit overrated/touristy! Tons of people love them so feel free to take my opinion with a grain of salt, but I feel like Florence has much more to offer
- Acqua al Due
- Trattoria Zaza
If you try out any of these spots leave a comment and let me know what you think! Or if you think I missed somewhere that you think absolutely needs to be on this list, let me know in the comments! I’m looking for new places to try on my next trip back this fall! Also, see my full Florence travel guide here.
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